(noun to) + (verbal noun) vs (noun to) + (verb) when there’s normally a noun after (noun + to)

I’ll give you an example:

“I want to get an access to _____”

Should I fill it with “doing” or “do”?

Because normally after the “access to” collocation we use a noun, e.g “access to games”, “access to a horizontal bar”.

So, should I use “doing” as a verbal noun because there’s only nouns used after that collocation, or should I use “do”, because somewhy I feel, like it’s an option too?

Would it be a huge horrible mistake if I say “give me an access to playing”?

Answer

The word access is usually not countable, so we would say:

I would like to get access to {something}.

No article.

You cannot get “access to” doing or playing.

You can get access to {something} (in order) to be able to do something.

I would like to get access to the gym (in order) to use the exercise equipment.

The phrase in order is optional.

I would like to get access to the members area of the website to play the online games there. Please give me access to it.

Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Марк Павлович , Answer Author : Tᴚoɯɐuo

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